SAGE
The creature that emerged from the jungle was nightmare made real.
Sage's breath caught in her throat. She'd read the scout reports three years ago. Seen the images. But seeing this thing in person was different.
It was massive. At least twelve feet tall. Built like something designed to kill. Thick scaled hide that shimmered blue-green in the fading light. Four legs ending in claws that could tear through metal. A head the size of a cargo pod with jaws full of teeth like daggers.
And eyes. Intelligent eyes that scanned the group with predatory calculation.
Behind her, both human and Nex soldiers raised their weapons. Fingers on triggers. Ready to fire.
No, Sage shouted. Don't shoot.
But the young human soldier who'd fired before was already squeezing the trigger. The plasma bolt hit the creature square in the chest.
The scales absorbed the impact like it was nothing. The blast didn't even leave a mark.
The creature's head swung toward the soldier. Its lips pulled back in what might have been a smile if smiles were terrifying.
Then it roared.
The sound hit Sage like a physical force. So loud her ears rang. So deep she felt it vibrate through her bones.
Everyone froze.
The creature took a step forward. Then another. Moving with terrible purpose toward the group.
Sage's mind raced. The scout reports had been clear. These creatures were apex predators. Their hide was thick enough to stop standard military weapons. Shooting just made them angry.
And this one was very angry.
She had maybe five seconds before it attacked. Five seconds to prevent a massacre.
Her training said to run. Get to cover. Let the soldiers engage while she escaped.
But her feet moved her forward instead.
She dropped her weapon. Let it fall to the jungle floor. Then stepped between the creature and both groups of soldiers.
Commander, what are you doing, Dr. Kross screamed.
Sage ignored her. Focused entirely on the creature.
Get back, she commanded. Her voice came out sharp and steady. Everyone get back now.
The soldiers hesitated. Human and Nex alike stared at her like she'd lost her mind.
The creature stopped moving. Its massive head tilted slightly. Studying her.
Sage forced herself to breathe slowly. Show no fear. Predators could smell fear and it made them attack.
She took a step backward. Slow. Controlled. Not running. Just creating distance.
The creature watched her movement. Its eyes tracked her with unsettling intelligence.
Sage's heart hammered against her ribs. The scout reports said these things were smart. Smart enough to recognize patterns. Smart enough to communicate.
Smart enough to respond to sound.
She took another step back. Then did something that felt insane.
She whistled.
High pitched. Melodic. A pattern she'd memorized from the scout data. Three notes rising. Two falling. A rhythm that meant no threat in the creature's language.
The creature's ears twitched. Small triangular things on the sides of its massive head. They swiveled toward her.
It sniffed the air. Its nostrils flared.
Sage kept whistling. Kept backing away slowly. Kept her eyes on the creature without staring directly. Direct eye contact meant challenge. Challenge meant fight.
The creature took a step toward her.
Terror shot through Sage's veins. This wasn't working. She'd misread the data. Made the wrong call.
She was about to die.
Then the creature did something impossible.
It stopped. Turned its massive head away from her. Away from the soldiers. And walked back into the jungle.
Just walked away.
Like she'd asked politely and it had agreed.
Sage stood frozen for a long moment. Her legs felt like water. Her hands shook.
Behind her, absolute silence.
Then Kieran's voice, quiet and filled with something that sounded like awe.
You know this planet.
Sage turned to face him. Their eyes met across the distance and something passed between them. Recognition. Respect. Something more complicated she didn't have words for.
My scouts reported on it three years ago, she said. Before the war intensified. Before General Hax decided information was too valuable to share.
What else do the reports say, Kieran asked. He was watching her with complete focus now. Not like an enemy. Like a partner.
Sage glanced at the sky. The sun was dropping fast toward the horizon. Maybe twenty minutes of light left.
The creatures are nocturnal hunters. During the day they're territorial but not aggressive if you don't threaten them. At night they hunt in packs. Everything warm-blooded becomes prey.
How many in a pack, Marcus asked. He'd lowered his weapon completely.
Sage met his eyes. The reports said groups of eight to twelve. But they've been known to coordinate with other packs for larger prey.
She looked around at their combined group. Maybe fifteen people total. Human and Nex together.
We're larger prey.
The words hung heavy in the air.
One of the Nex soldiers spoke up. Young kid. Barely looked old enough for military service.
So what do we do? Just stand here and wait to be eaten?
Sage shook her head. She pointed through the trees toward a rock formation visible in the distance.
There. The scouts mapped cave systems in that ridge. Natural shelter. Defensible. We get there before dark, we survive the night.
How far, Kieran asked.
Maybe half a mile. Through jungle. With injured people.
Both of them looked at their respective groups. Most people were hurt. Some badly. Moving fast would be difficult.
We need to leave now, Sage said.
Kieran nodded. Then turned to his people.
You heard the commander. We move together. Stay close. Watch each other's backs.
Some of the human soldiers looked uncertain. Trusting the enemy went against everything they'd been trained.
But Marcus stepped forward. Addressed the group.
Captain Hayes is right. Commander Voss just saved all our lives. We're not at war anymore. We're survivors. Act like it.
The human soldiers slowly lowered their weapons.
On the Nex side, Dr. Kross did the same.
The commander knows this planet. We follow her lead or we die. Simple choice.
The Nex soldiers nodded. Some reluctant. But nodding.
Sage felt something loosen in her chest. They were actually doing this. Actually working together.
She caught Kieran's eye again. He was watching her with an expression she couldn't quite read.
Lead the way, Commander, he said quietly.
Sage organized them quickly. Injured in the middle. Armed soldiers on the perimeter. Human and Nex mixed together. If one group tried to betray the other, everyone would see it coming.
They moved through the jungle as fast as the wounded allowed. Sage took point with Kieran beside her. Behind them, Dr. Kross helped a human soldier with a broken leg. Marcus carried medical supplies scavenged from both crash sites.
The groups were mixing. Helping each other. Becoming something other than enemies.
As they walked, Kieran spoke quietly. Just for her.
That was brave. What you did with the creature.
Sage shrugged. It was tactical. Shooting wouldn't work. Someone had to try something else.
It was still brave.
She glanced at him. His face was serious. Genuine. No mockery. No suspicion.
Just respect.
Something warm unfurled in Sage's chest. Something dangerous.
You trusted me, she said. When I told your people to stand down. You backed my call.
Kieran met her eyes. Because you were right. And because I'm starting to think we're on the same side.
Are we?
We both got betrayed by our own leaders. Both crashed on this planet. Both trying to keep people alive. Sounds like the same side to me.
Sage wanted to argue. Wanted to maintain distance. Wanted to remember he was the enemy.
But she was so tired of enemies.
The cave systems, Kieran said, changing the subject. What else do the reports say?
Multiple entrances. Fresh water source nearby. The creatures avoid them because the rock interferes with their echolocation.
So we'll be safe there.
For tonight. Tomorrow we need to figure out how to signal for rescue.
Sage almost laughed. The sound came out bitter.
Who do we signal? The people who tried to kill us?
Kieran's jaw tightened. Good point.
Behind them, someone screamed.
Sage spun around. One of the Nex soldiers had fallen. Twisted his ankle on a root.
We need to keep moving, Marcus called out. Daylight's fading.
Sage looked at the sky. The sun was touching the horizon now. Maybe ten minutes of light left.
They were still five minutes from the caves.
This was going to be close.
She picked up the pace. Half-ran through the undergrowth. Kieran kept up beside her. Behind them, the group struggled to match speed.
The jungle was changing. The normal sounds fading. The temperature dropping.
Night was coming.
And with it, the hunters.
Sage heard it first. A sound like breathing in the distance. Multiple sources. Coming from different directions.
They were being tracked.
Faster, she urged. Everyone move faster.
The cave entrance appeared through the trees. A dark opening in the rock face. Safety.
They were fifty yards away when the sun dropped below the horizon.
The jungle went dark.
And the breathing got louder.
Much louder.
All around them.
Run, Sage screamed.
Everyone bolted for the cave. Injured soldiers helped by the ones who could still move. Human and Nex running together.
Behind them, the jungle erupted with roars.
The creatures were hunting.